Circuit controller



Feb. 28, 1928. I

W. C. STEVENS CIRCUIT CONTROLLER Filed July 2 1 2 l gfihf ets-sheet l If -F 22 :1 :21? :1 23 ta: 5:5 41 2o 40 19 20 I if". 4'8 C iii 12 3 1 "6'1 Z 4.9

L L L Feb. 28, 1928.

W. C. STEVENS CIRCUIT CONTROLLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 so I 22 a *1? as i6 Patented Feb. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.I'"-.fI1' iI1IJFI1\'I C. STEVENS, OF MILIVAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE CUTLER-HAM- MER MFG. (30., F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

Application filed July 26, 1920. Serial No. 399,075.

This invention relates to circuit controllers, and while not limited thereto, is particularly applicable as a starting controller for electric motors.

In starting certain types of alternating current motors it is necessary to commutate the line connections for starting and running, and the present invention has among its objects that of providing a simplified and improved controller movement for effecting such commutation and for other purposes.

Another object is that of providing a controller embodying such movement and provided with improved operating means.

Another object is that of providing for either power or manual operation of such controllers while facilitating manual opera tion thereof and providing for automatic de-energization of the motor upon operation the controller in a tardy or negligent manner.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawing illustrates certain of the embodiments which the in vention may assume in practice and the same will now be described, it being understood that the invention is capable of embodiment in other forms falling within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing,

i 1 is a front elevational View illustratin an embodiment of the controller;

to are detail views illustrating the controller movement in different operative positions;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating a slightly modified construction; while,

6 is a diagran'nnatic view illustrating an adaptation of the controller as a compensator starter.

Referi' Y to 1 of the drawing, the same ilh crates a compensator starter comprising a controller 0 adapted to effect starting and running connections for a three phase induction motor M to be supplied from lines L L IF, the starting connec tions being made through an auto-transfoinier T.

The controller 0 comprises six associated switches each having a movable contactor and one or more fixed contacts to be engage d thereby, the contactors being designated by numerals 10 to and their respective fixed contacts being designated by the same reference numerals supplemented by letters a or b. For facility of description said switches may conveniently be divided into two groups, the first group comprising switches 10 to 13 and the second group comprising switches 14 and 15.

Switches 11, 12 and 13 which control the line connections of motor M, are of similar construction, each comprising two electrically independent fixed contacts, their contactors being connected, and adapted by means of operating mechanism to be here inafte-r described to act simultaneously and similarly and each to engage its associated contacts progressively and selectively. Switches 14 and 15 which control the interconnections of transformer Tare likewise adapted to act in unison for engagement and disengagement of their respective single fixed contacts. Switch 10 which is adapted to control the energizing circuit of a holding coil 16, has its contactor mechanically connected with the contactors of switches 11, 12 and 13 for movement therewith, its single fixed contact being elongated to provide for continuous energization of the coil 16 so long as said latter switches remain in either of their on positions.

In practice the contactors 10 to 13 are secured in resilient and spaced relation upon a bar 17 being insulated therefrom and operable thereby while the contactors 14 and 15 are similarly supported by and upon a similar bar 18. A system of levers, to be hereinafter described, is arranged at each end of each of said bars 17 and 18 for actuation of the latter and of the contactors carried thereby. Said sets of levers are in turn mounted upon a single shaft 19 for operation thereby, said shaft being itself supported by brackets 20 carried by a suitable panel 21. An operating handle 22 and a lever 23 are rigidly secured to said shaft to provide respectively for manual and power operation of the controller.

The arrangement is such that upon a predetermined an ular movement of the shaft 19 by either or said operating means, all of the contactors are thrown to on position, thereby connecting the auto-transformer T across the supply lines and connecting the motor M to said transformer in suitable relasis V in a known manner.

tion for starting. Further, the energizing whereas switches14and 15, being unrestrained by the latching-in device 24, are free to move directly to off position thus in terrupting the interconnections of the auto transformer,'the energizing circuit of the coil' 16 being maintained. Should the voltage acrossthe supply linesfail, the latching device 24'is released thus permitting switches 10 to 13 to open for disconnecting the motor and interrupting the circuit of coil 16.

The different operative positions of the levers which provide the aforedescribed action of switches 10 to 13 are shown more in 'detail'in Figs. 2 to 4. V e

As illustrated, each of the aforementioned systems of levers preferably comprises a pair of levers 30 and 31 terminally mounted upon the shaft 19, the. lever 30 being rigidly secured to said shaft and the lever 31 being oscillatable relative thereto. A floating lever 32 is carried between the free ends of the said former levers and provided with a positive pivotal connection with the lever 30 and with a loose motionpivotal connection with the lever 31. Thecontact carrying bar 17 is rigidly secured between the floating levers 32 of'the two systems of levers and adjacent the terminal portion of said levers 32 which are connected with the lever-s 31.

In practice said bar-17 ispreferably constructed square to'receive a plurality of two-part clamping brackets for mounting of.

the various vswitch contacts upon said bar Further such square section of said rod provides foreffecting a rigid mounting thereof within the lfree ends V of therespective floating levers 32. Moreover, said bar is provided with reduced circular terminal portions33 extending beyond the respective floating levers '30 and each adaptedtoco-operate with an elongated slot 34' located adjacent the free end of its respective lever 31, thus providing the aforedescribed' loose motionpivotal connection between said'levers. One of said levers 31 is preferably extended beyond the point of piv- -,otal support thereof to provide alatching lug 35.

The latehing-in device 24 preferably cont prises amagnetic frame 36 carried by or formed integral with one ofthe brackets 20,

' said frame carrying the energizing .coil 16 and also having an armature member 37 pivotally'supported thereby, said armature in turn'having a latch 38 adapted to cooperate with the lug 35 and a projecting lever 39 providing for manual tripping of said latch. V

The aforedescribed parts are so arranged with referenceto the vertical panel 21 as to effect a gravity bias of all the movable contactors out of contact making position. Moreover, the arrangement is such that upon engagement of the lug 35 by the latch 38, the weight of the operating handle 22 acting about the axis of the shaft 19 tends. to lift the floating levers 32 together with the bar 17 and the contactors carried thereby from the first on position illustrated in Fig. 3 to the second on position illustrated in Fig. 4. A helical spring 40having its terminal portions bent about the levers 30 and also new ing a medial looped portion 41 abutting the brackets 20 as illustrated is preferably employed toaugment and assist such tendency.

Upon elevation of the operating handle from the off position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the aforedescribed movable con-- troller parts are adapted to oscillate as a unit about the axis of the shaft 19 until the contactors engage their respective lower fixed contacts a the spring 40 being placed undertension, and assuming encrgization of the coil 16 through closure of tl e switch 10, the armature 37 is attracted for latchingsin the levers 31.." Upon subsequent release of the operating handle the same is adapted to drop by the combined action of gravity and the spring 40 whereupon the switches 14 and 15,

to move directly to off position without rcengagement of their respective contacts a.

The aforedescribed construction and arrangement'thus provide for simple angular movement of said contactors into their first on'position, for rectilinear movement to their second on position, and for a compound linear and angular returnanovement to off position.

For purposes of standardization, the two.

systems of levers employed to effect operatlon of switches 14 and 15 may be cone structed similar to those aforedescribedf however, as each of said switches is required to control. but a single set of connections, the construction may be simplified by providing circular openings in lieu ot-the elongated slots 34 in the upper ends ofthe levers 31, the throw of said levers being correspondingly reduced, or the bar 18 may even be connected directly and rigidly with the shaft 19 as illustrated. The switch 10, being required to carry only control currents, may also be of simplified construction and may even comprise simple butt contacts, the fixed contact 10 being elongated in the manner and for the purposes described.

The power operating means for the controller comprises a solenoid 42 having its plunger 43 connected to the operating lever 23 through suitable linkage and adapted upon energization of its winding to effect an upward thrust upon said lever for moving the controller contacts to their first on position. A switch 44 having a retarding dash pot 45 is resiliently connected to said solenoid plunger to be opened thereby for de-energizing the solenoid winding and permitting the controller parts to move to running position subject to a time element during which the motor is adapted to attain running speed. A starting push button switch 46 provides for closure of the energizing circuit of said solenoid while a stop button 47 provides for interruption of the circuit of the holding coil 16.

Upon closure of the starting but-ton 46, the energizing circuit of operating solenoid 42 is completed, said circuit extending from line L by conductor 48 through the winding of said solenoid by conductor 49 through the solenoid relay 44 by conductor 50 through said starting button by conductor 51 through the stop button and by conductor 52 to line L Said solenoid thereupon responds, drawing in its plunger and moving all of the controller contacts to their lower or first on position. Such action serves to connect the auto-transformer to the supply lines and to connect the motor M to the transformer. Closure of the starting push button also serves to complete the energizing circuit of holding coil 16, said circuit extending from line L by conductor 54 through said coil, thence by conductor 55 to conductor 50 and thence to line L as formerly traced, continuity of said circuit being thus rendered independent of relay 44.

Closure of switch 10 serves to connect conductor 55, through conductor 53 and the stop button directly to line L shunting the starting button which may therefore be released and permitted to open as soon as the controller moves to its first on position.

After a given time interval determined by the calibration of the dash pot 45 the relay 44 is adapted to open, thus 'de-energizing the operating solenoid 42 whereupon the contactors of switches 11, 12 and 13 move to their second on position, thus connecting the motor directly across the supply lines, the energizing circuit of the latching coil being maintained by the switch 10. The solenoid operating mechanism also moves to an intermediate position wherein the relay 44 is maintained open.

The contactors of switches 4 and 15 on the other hand move directly to off position in the manner aforedescribed, thus interrupting the interconnections of the transformer. Upon failure of voltage supplied to the motor, the latching coil becomes deenergized whereupon switches 10 to 13 are free to move directly to off position.

lVhile the controller is in either of its on positions, voluntary stopping of the motor may be effected either through opening of the stop button 47 or manual tripping of the latch 39.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the same illustrates a slight modification of the controller structure particularly applicable to hand operated controllers of the character described.

This construction differs from such formerly described construction only in the shape of the elongated slots of the levers 81, said slots in the construction now under discussion being provided t their lower inner ends with enlarged or cutout portions indicated at 60. Also in this construction of the controller the co-operating contacts of switch 10 are assumed to be simple butt contacts of such character as to open the circuit of the latching coil upon a relatively slight back movement of said contactor less than that re quired to effect separation of the contacts carrying the power currents.

The manual operation of the controller modified as aforedescribed is as follows: Upon elevation of the hand operating lever 22 all of the switch contactors are thrown to their first on position and if thereafter the handle be released abruptly or subjected to a sudden downward and outward pull the force upon said lever is suddenly reversed due to such pull or action of the spring 40 or both, whereupon the controller parts move immediately to their second on position with a quick break of one set of circuit connections and quick make of the other set. However, should the direction of motion of the operating handle be permitted to reverse in a sluggish or deliberate manner the projections 33 instead of moving along the elongated portions of the slots 34 will be forced by the tension of the spring 40 into the enlarged portions of said slots, thus permitting the bar 17 carrying the contacts 10 to 13 to move away from the panel 22 a distance sufficient to effect opening of the switch 10 without, however, interrupting the power connections of the motor through switches 11, 12 and 13. Such interruption of the circuit of the latching coil 16 permits the latch to open whereupon the controller is adapted to move directly to off position.

' The aforedescribed construction provides for movement of the controller contacts dillfi pip

rectly from starting to OK position by means of the operating handle 22 without requiring tripping of the latch 39 by the operator whereby the controller may be operated for this purpose with one hand. V V

The modified construction possesses the further advantage of insuring that the controller be quickly and positively thrown from starting to. running position, thus inflsuring a quick make and quick'break since should the operator attempt to move the controller in a tardy or negligent manner through such stage in its operation, the magnetic latch is automatically released whereupon the controller automatically returns to off position. r

Fig. 6 illustrates diagrammatically an adaptation otthc aforcdescribed controller movement to use as a starting controller for a three phase induction motor, the three switches illustrated corresponding to switches 11, 12 and 13 of Fig. 1, being similarly operable and being linked together for joint operation andior maintenance subject to manual or no-voltagerelease. 7

Upon throwing-the controller to starting position, the motor is connected directly across the supply lines, a step of resistance, however, being included in each line; Upon releaseof the operating lever and movement of the switch to running position, the motor is connected to the supply lines through fuses, the starting. resistors being excluded. Obviouslysaid resistors may be dispensed with when starting protection of the motor is not required. 7

What I claim as new by Letters Patent .is: 1. In a circuit controller, incombination,

and desire to secure a plurality of stationary contacts, a cooper ating contact member, operating means for said member. including a plurality of relatively movable parts normally held in a given angular relation and movable without change in such relation to move said element into engagement with certain of said stationary contacts, certain 01": said parts being thereafter movable with respect.

tocertain other of said parts to move said element into engagementwith other of said stationary contacts. I

2. In a circuit controller, in combination, a plurality of stationary contacts, a cooperating contact element, operating means for said element including a plurality of relatively movable parts normally held in a given angular relation and movable without change in such relation to move said element into engagement with certain ot' said stationary contacts, certain of said parts being'thereafter adapted upon restraintof certain other of said parts to move said element nto engagen'ient with other of said stationary contacts.

3. In a circuit-controller, in combination,

a plurality of stationary contacts, a cooperating contact element, operating means for said element including a plurality of relatively movable parts normally held in a given angular relation and n ovable Without change in such' relation to move said element into engagement with certain of said stationary contacts, said operatingmeans also providingi'or subsequent movement of said element into. engagement with a plurality of stationary contact, a cooperj ating contact member and operating means for said contact member including a plu rality ofrelatively movable parts normally in a given angular relation and adapted when moved in such relation to efiect an gular movement of said contact member mto engagement with certain of said contacts, i and means tor restraining a part of said operating means to provide for subsequent rectilinearmovement of said contact'memher into engagement with other of said contacts, said operating means being also adapt ed to efiect compound angular and recti linear movement of said contact'member for disengagement 01" all. of said contacts upon release of said restraining means. i

5. In a circuit controller, in combination, a plurality of stationary contacts, a'cooperating contact member, operating means for 7 said contact member including a plurality of relativelymovable parts normally held in a given angular relation and adapted when noved in such relation to efiect angular movement of said contact member into en-' ment thereof tordirect disengagement of said latter contact;

6,111 a circuit controller, in combination, a plurahty'of stationary contacts, a cooper-f ating contact member, an operating memher, operat ng connections between said con- :tact member and said operating member includin'g a plurality of relatively movable;

parts normally held in a given. angular relation and movable in such relation .upon' movement of said operatingimember in one direction to eiiect'engagement of said'contact member with (36113111 of said stationary contacts, said parts being also movable relatively to each other upon movement of said operating member in a reverse direction to ellect engagement of said contact member with other of said stationary contacts.

7. In a circuit controller, in combination, a. pivoted element, a contact member adapted to move angularly with said element and to also slide thereon, and means for eiiecting such movements of said contact member successively.

S. In a circuit controller. in combination, a pivoted element, a contact member adaptcd to move angularly with said element and to also slide thereon, and means including an operating member movable in one direction to move said contact member angularly with said element and in an opposite direction to slide said contact member on said element.

9. In a circuit controller, in combination, a plurality of stationary contacts, a pivoted element, a contact member adapted to move angularly with said element to engage certain of said contacts and to also slide there on to engage other of said contacts, and means including an operating member movable in one direction to move said contact memberv angularly with said element, and in an opposite direction to slide said contact member on said element.

10. In a circuit controller, in combination, a plurality of switch mechanisms each comprising a plurality of stationary contacts and a cooperating contactor and common supporting means for said contactor comprising relatively movable parts normally held in a given angular relation, actuating means for moving said parts in such relation to cause each of said contactors to move angularly into engagement with certain of its associated fixed contacts, electromagnetic latching means for restraining certain of said relatively movable parts after engagement of said contacts, and means to act thereafter automatically upon release of said actuating means for causing each of said contactors to move rectilinearly into engagement with other of its associated contacts.

11. In a circuit controller, the combina tion with a plurality of stationary contacts and a. co-operating contactor, of supporting means for said contactor comprising a bracket, a pair of levers terminally and pivotally mounted thereon, said levers having respectively an actuating member and a latching member, a link to connect the free ends of said levers, said link having a positive pivotal connection with one of said levers and a loose motion pivotal connection with the other of said levers, said contactor being carried by said link.

12. In a circuit controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contacts and a co-operating contactor, of supporting means for said contactor comprising a bracket, a pair of levers terminally and pivotally mounted thereon, said levers having respectively an actuating member and a tacts.

13. In a circuit controller, the combination with a plurality of associated switches, each having a movable contactor, of supporting means for said sw .ch contactors providing for successive angular and linear movement of CGl'bZlli'l of said coutactors during angular movemen of other of said contactors.

1%. In, a ci tion with a p each havin cnit controller, the combinaurality movale contactor, of supporting nean for said switch contactors providing for movement thereot' jointly to on position and also providing for subsequent movement of certain of said contactors to afurther on position while permitting return movement of" other of said contactors to off position.

15. In circuit controller, the combination with a plurality of associated switches each having a movable c'ntactor, of supporting means for said contactors comprising relatively movable parts adapted to move as a rigid unit to effect movement of said contactors jointly to on position, certain of said parts being thereafter movable independently of other of said parts for efiecting movement of certain or" said contactors to a further on positiouand also effecting return movement of other of said contactors directly to oit position.

16. In a circuit controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contacts and a contactor to be moved intermittently and progressively for engaging said contacts selectively, of supportingmeans for said contactor including an element to be moved in opposite directions during such progressive movement of said contactor and electromagnetic means adapted to effect operation of said element in one direction and to thereafter automatically permit movement of said element in the opposite direction.

17. In a. circuit controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contacts and a contactor to be moved intermittently and progressively for engaging said contacts selectively, of supporting means for said contactor including an element to be moved in opposite directions during such progressive movement of said contactor, electroof associated switches,

magnetic means for lefiecting operation of a respective contacts thereof progressively duringmovement of the contactors of theother of said switches to on position and back to ofii position, said supporting means including an operating element to be moved in opposite directions during such movements of said contactors, and electro-magnetic means adapted to efiect operation of said element in one direction and to thereafter permit movement of said element in the opposite direction.

19. In a'circuit controller, the combination with a plurality of associated switches,

Y each having a movable contactor, of supporting means for said switch contactors providing for movement thereof jointly to an on position and also providing for subsequent movement of certain of said contactors to a further on position and for simultaneous quick return movement of other of said con-' ta'ctors directly to 0E position for effecting "sudden interruption of the connections controlled thereby. I V

20. In a circuit controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contacts and aco-operating, movable contactor, of supporting means for said contactor comprising relatively movable parts, actuating means for moving said parts as a rigid unit to cause said-contactor to engage certain of said fixed contacts and for subsequently effecting relative movement of certain of said parts for causing said contactors to move out of engagement with the contacts formerly engaged thereby and into engagement with other of said fixed contacts, said supporting means including associated elements necessitating that such latter movement of said contactor be effected only under conditions providing a quick break of one set of circuit connections and a quick make of the other set of connections. 7

21. In a motor controller, in combination,

separately movable contact elements for establishing starting and running connections and operating means for said elements including a common operating part movable in one direction througha given range to establish starting connections and adapted upon return'to an intermediate position to estaba lish running connections, said means providing for simultaneous movement of saidelements out of a given normal position'during establishment of starting connections and permitting return movement of one of said elements towards normal position ruponvestablishment of running connections.

In witness whereof, I have-hereunto subscribed my name. a

' V WILLIAM C. STEVENS. 

